Education (Higher Education)

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 12, 2025

S 2045: Protecting Endowments from Our Adversaries Act

This bill imposes a 50% excise tax on the fair market value of "listed investments" acquired by large private colleges and universities during a taxable year, and a 100% tax on net income from such investments. It defines "listed investments" as any stock, debt, or derivatives held in entities on government security lists (like the Commerce Department's Entity List or FCC Covered List). The tax applies to private institutions with endowments exceeding $1 billion that aren't state universities, targeting investments in entities deemed national security threats. The law requires the Treasury to establish a consolidated list of these entities within 60 days of enactment, with taxes taking effect for acquisitions and income after the first calendar year following enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 50% excise tax on listed investments of large private colleges, generating government revenue for fiscal management under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationImposes 50-100% taxes on endowments of large private universities, reducing funds available for educational programs and operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Higher Education

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in committee · United States · House Feb 13, 2025

HR 1282: Eliminate DEI in Colleges Act

HR 1282 prohibits federal funding for colleges that operate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or offices. It requires institutions to certify they do not run any initiative primarily focused on classifying students by race, gender, or other protected characteristics, or providing preferential treatment based on those factors. Schools receiving federal funds (including student loans) must provide this certification, and the government can verify it or appeal funding termination through a formal process. This bill directly affects nearly all colleges and universities that accept federal financial aid, fundamentally changing eligibility for those programs.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill prohibits federal funding for colleges with DEI programs, directly restricting diversity initiatives in higher education through defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2025

HR 455: Protecting Higher Education from Foreign Threats Act

This bill prohibits U.S. colleges and universities receiving federal student aid from employing instructors who received funding from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while working at the institution. Institutions that employ such instructors lose eligibility for federal funds during the affected academic year. They may regain eligibility the following year by proving they no longer employ CCP-funded instructors. The policy directly affects all higher education institutions participating in federal financial aid programs.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill prohibits CCP-funded instructors in higher ed institutions receiving federal aid, threatening defunding. This restricts institutional hiring practices and could limit educational access, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Mar 26, 2025

HR 2374: American Students First Act

HR 2374, the American Students First Act, restricts federal funding for public universities that charge non-citizens not lawfully present in the U.S. lower tuition rates than in-state residents or provide them with state financial aid. The bill amends existing law to require public institutions of higher education to charge undocumented immigrants the same tuition rates as in-state citizens and not offer state-based aid to them. If a university violates these rules, it loses all federal financial assistance for the following fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary of Education. This directly affects public colleges in states with such tuition or aid policies for undocumented students.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts educational access for undocumented immigrants by mandating equal tuition rates as in-state citizens and threatening federal funding loss for non-compliance, limiting affordability and access to higher education.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts undocumented immigrants' access to lower tuition and state financial aid at public universities, limiting educational services per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Mar 31, 2025

HR 2490: No In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants Act

HR 2490, the "No In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants Act," would require states to charge non-citizens not lawfully present in the U.S. the same out-of-state tuition rate at public colleges as other non-residents, or risk losing federal education funding. Specifically, states that offer in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants would become ineligible for Title IV federal student aid funds under the Higher Education Act starting the year after the violation is identified. This provision directly affects public universities in states that currently provide in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, as they would lose access to federal financial aid programs. The bill does not change state tuition laws directly but ties federal funding eligibility to compliance with the new requirement.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts educational access for undocumented immigrants by mandating out-of-state tuition rates and threatens defunding states offering in-state tuition, directly opposing expanded access and funding.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts undocumented immigrants' access to in-state tuition (a state service) by mandating higher out-of-state rates or loss of federal education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2025

HR 3913: Putting American Students First Act

HR 3913, the "Putting American Students First Act," amends the Higher Education Act to establish specific eligibility requirements for Federal TRIO programs. It requires participants to be U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, certain aliens with intent to become permanent residents, citizens of Freely Associated States, CNMI residents under specific compacts, or lawful residents of Freely Associated States. The bill explicitly prohibits waiving these requirements under any current or future appropriations laws or performance partnership pilot authorities. This change directly affects students seeking TRIO program support, which assists low-income, first-generation, and disabled college students. The policy alters who qualifies for these federally funded educational support programs.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts TRIO program eligibility to specific groups, limiting access for non-eligible students under higher education programs.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts TRIO program eligibility to specific immigrant categories, excluding undocumented and non-eligible immigrants, thereby limiting immigrant access to federal education services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education DACA & Dreamers

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in committee · United States · House Feb 7, 2025

HR 1128: Endowment Accountability Act

This bill increases the excise tax on investment income earned by private colleges and universities from 1.4% to 10%. It also lowers the asset threshold requiring taxation from $500,000 to $200,000 per student, meaning more institutions will now be subject to the tax. The tax applies only to investment income, not the full endowment value, and affects private colleges meeting the new per-student asset threshold. The changes take effect for taxable years after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases excise tax rate (1.4%→10%) and lowers asset threshold ($500k→$200k), closing tax loopholes for private colleges to boost state revenue.92% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill increases taxes on private colleges' investment income, likely reducing institutional resources for educational programs and access, aligning with defunding/limiting indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Higher Education

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 16, 2025

S 108: Protecting Higher Education from the Chinese Communist Party Act of 2025

This bill would bar certain U.S. visas for individuals affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and their immediate family members, directly affecting students and exchange visitors seeking to study or participate in cultural programs in the U.S. It amends immigration law to deny F-1 student visas and J-1 exchange visitor visas to CCP members (including those who served on the CCP National Congress) and their spouses, children, parents, siblings, or other close relatives. Exceptions include cases required to comply with U.S. obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement and national security waivers approved by the President. The policy changes would take effect upon the bill’s enactment, restricting visa eligibility for these groups in higher education contexts.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts F-1/J-1 visas for CCP-affiliated individuals, limiting higher education access for targeted groups90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationDenies F-1/J-1 visas to CCP members and family, restricting immigrant access to higher education programs per bill's explicit visa restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 207: Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2025

This bill prohibits federal funding (directly or indirectly) for colleges and universities that host or are affiliated with campus health clinics providing abortion drugs or abortions to students or staff. Institutions must submit annual reports certifying no such services are offered to remain eligible for federal funds. The law also prevents states from penalizing schools for complying with this funding restriction. It specifically defines "abortion drugs" and "school-based service sites" (excluding hospitals) to clarify coverage.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts federal funding for higher ed institutions providing abortion services, directly limiting school funding eligibility for affected institutions.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDefunds campus clinics offering abortion services, restricting access to reproductive healthcare as a core healthcare service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Women's Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 801: Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act

The Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act (S 801) ends most federal student loans after September 30, 2028, replacing them with a simplified loan program featuring fixed interest rates, capped borrowing limits (e.g., $30,000 total for dependent undergraduate students), and standardized repayment terms (15 years for undergrads, 25 years for graduate students). The bill eliminates most student loan forgiveness options for loans issued on or after July 1, 2025, while requiring colleges to publish detailed transparency data about student outcomes, costs, and financial aid on their websites. It also establishes a penalty for institutions with high student loan default rates and allows states to develop their own accreditation systems for higher education programs, affecting students, colleges, and the broader higher education landscape.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationEliminates student loan forgiveness options and caps borrowing limits, restricting higher education financial access and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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